HRC Press Release After Johnny Rea's Sepang MotoGP Test

Below is the press release issued by HRC after the private test of the Honda test team, where Ten Kate Honda World Superbike rider Johnny Rea was allowed to test Honda's RC212V MotoGP bike. No times were released:

HRC MOTOGP TEST AT SEPANG ENDS 2010 ON TRACK DEVELOPMENT WORK

The HRC MotoGP test team brought curtain down on the 2010 season on-track when they wrapped up the three-day test at Sepang Malaysia today. The test session was scheduled to end yesterday but was extended to include a three-hour session this morning due to time last to heavy rain yesterday afternoon.

The test team and HRC test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi were happy with the data gleaned while verifying information and technical data gathered at the last team test session, held at Valencia in early November.

The HRC test was also a happy experience for Ten Kate Honda World Superbike team rider Jonathan Rea. The Ulsterman was given the opportunity to test the RC212V as a reward for his WSB performances in 2010. Race completed the test alongside Akiyoshi running for 40 laps in fine sunny weather with temperatures close on 30 degrees for the morning session.

Rea said of his first MotoGP experience. "Riding the RC212V has been an unbelievable experience for me! A four-day test is a dream that became true and I am really happy that HRC invited me here to Sepang. Yesterday the rain didn't allow us to be on track that much and we stayed one more day. Today I start feeling the bike is "my bike" and I had a good feeling riding it. I hope I have been able to give to the engineers some useful comments, even if my physical condition was not the best because my wrist is still not 100%. Now I will have some rest until New Year, and then I will be focused on my job for 2011, which is the World Superbike Championship. Thanks again to everybody in Honda for the great experience!".

While Rea returns to Europe and a well earned rest the HRC engineers will not be resting. The test team heads home to Japan with much valuable data to evaluate as they continue working at the development of the RC212V in time for the first MotoGP test session of the 2011 season. The test will also be held at the Sepang circuit on February 1 – 3.

Comments

last year at the tests, the first day was a waste of time with Jap riders lapping five seconds off the pace while contracted riders were kicking heels and yawning in the box.
Is this year gonna be the same? or will Jonny be there laying down times to be shot at?